Former Shujaa and Kenya Simbas international Isaiah Ken Moseti is showing encouraging signs of recovery two months after he was rescued from the streets and taken into rehabilitation, but to complete his full recovery, a financial appeal has been launched.
A video shared by The Face of Street Kids on Instagram shows a visibly transformed Moseti, offering a glimpse of hope after the former KCB Rugby star endured one of the darkest periods of his life. Gone is the frail-looking man who had been seen struggling on the streets of Nairobi. In the latest video, Moseti appears neat, clean, and healthier, having visibly gained weight.How Kenya Harlequin rebuilt and rose again after 30-player exodusHe looks happier and more composed as he speaks fluently, a remarkable contrast to the distressing clips that previously emerged of him living on the streets.The update has offered hope that the former rugby star is slowly finding himself again.”There was a time when the man who once made Kenya proud was sleeping on the streets, battling pain, loneliness, and a life he never imagined for himself.
The stadiums were gone. The applause was gone. Life had become about simply surviving another day,” The Face of Street Kids wrote alongside the video.But, as the organisation noted, Moseti’s story did not end on the streets. Two months ago, the former Kenya international was rescued and taken to rehabilitation following a prolonged battle with addiction and difficult circumstances after his rugby career came to an end.
Today, the transformation is evident.Moseti appears healthier and in better spirits, with his latest appearance providing a powerful reminder of how far he has come in a relatively short period.”What the streets took from him, love is helping him rebuild. What pain destroyed, hope is restoring. What looked like the end is becoming a new beginning,” the organisation said.
The update comes months after Moseti opened up about his struggles, admitting that addiction and financial difficulties had left him at one of the lowest points of his life.”I feel wasted because of drugs and if it remains this way, it might get worse, and it will endanger my life,” he said in a previous interview with Scrummage Africa.
The 34-year-old former utility back also spoke openly about the difficult transition from rugby, describing the game as his life and admitting that he had made decisions he regretted.How teams have contributed players to the national teams for Safari 7s”I never thought it would come to this. My life in general at the moment is a bit challenging. I want to be very honest, the transition from the game for me wasn’t the best. Rugby was my life, but life took a turn I never expected,” he said.
He made his Kenya Sevens debut at the 2011 Dubai Sevens before earning an opportunity with the Kenya Simbas in 2014. At club level, he enjoyed considerable success with KCB, winning three consecutive Kenya Cup titles.
He joined the Ruaraka-based side in 2013 and spent seven years with the club before announcing his retirement during the 2019/20 season. He later looked set to make a comeback with Impala in 2021.Away from playing, Moseti also holds a World Rugby Level One coaching certificate and has previously worked with Zetech University and Muhuri Muchiri Secondary School.His dream has always been to give back to the game that gave him so much.
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Moseti had also expressed his desire to return to rugby, even if only for one more season, while coaching and mentoring young players.”I want a chance to get back to the game and play one more season as I continue coaching and mentoring kids because I want them to follow the right path not only in rugby but also in education and how they should invest. I want to give back to society even if it’s volunteering,” he said.
The latest video suggests that the journey towards that second chance is underway.However, The Face of Street Kids cautioned that recovery is not an overnight process and called for continued support for Moseti.”But recovery takes time, and Moseti still needs us. Let’s not celebrate his transformation and walk away. Let’s stand with him until he can stand on his own. Every prayer, every contribution, and every word of encouragement matters,” the organisation wrote.